Summer Internship at Tidelands Nature Center
Author: Taylor Martin
Faculty Supervisor: C. Tate Holbrook, Ph.D.
Community Partner: Tidelands Nature Center
Abstract:
During the summer of 2018, I completed an internship with Tidelands Nature Center located on Jekyll Island. Since I am preparing for a career as a high school science teacher, my main focus was on the environmental education mission of the nature center. I helped take campers on day trips around the island and gave them hands-on field lessons about the animals, plants, and environment. I accompanied many canoe and kayak trips as well and taught the students and visitors about the importance of the marsh and identified some of the animals living there. I also talked to visitors about the animals at the nature center and participated in an outreach event where I got to take the animals out and let people get a closer look as they asked questions. Finally, I helped with animal husbandry tasks including water/bedding changes, basking, and food preparation. After the summer spent at Tidelands, I have a better understanding of environmental education and a deeper appreciation for what I am studying. Through this internship, I acquired valuable skills that will prepare me for a career in science secondary education, and I developed a greater love for coastal ecology and the Golden Isles.
